A Discourse on the Method

René Descartes Ian Maclean

A new translation of a central philosophical text accompanied by a masterly and substantial introduction from the foremost Renaissance scholar Ian Maclean, designed to provide in-depth historical and philosophical context.

The long introduction is a feature of this edition and is written from a historical point of view, making it particularly accessible to non-specialists. It sets out to answer the questions: what brought Descartes to write what he did? And what did his first readers make of it?

The notes explain historical references and allusions as well as philosophical ideas and terminology.

The Discourse was written for a non-specialist readership, contains the famous 'cogito ergo sum' proof, and is an ideal introduction to Descartes for the general reader.

A Discourse on the Method

René Descartes Ian Maclean

Description

Descartes' Discourse marks a watershed in European thought; in it, the author sets out in brief his radical new philosophy, which begins with a proof of the existence of the self (the famous "cogito ergo sum"). Next he deduces from it the existence and nature of God, and ends by offering a radical new account of the physical world and of human and animal nature. Written in everyday language and meant to be read by common people of the day, it swept away all previous philosophical traditions. This new translation is an ideal introduction to Descartes for the general reader. It is accompanied by a substantial introductory essay from Renaissance scholar Ian Maclean that is designed to provide in-depth historical and philosophical context. The essay draws on Descartes' correspondence to examine what brought him to write his great work, and the impact it had on his contemporaries. A detailed section of notes explain Descartes' philosophical terminology and ideas, as well as historical references and allusions. Any reader can feel comfortable diving in to this classic work of Renaissance philosophical thought.

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A Discourse on the Method

René Descartes Ian Maclean

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Philosopher's Life The Genesis of the Discourse and its Development Galileo, Mersenne, and the Church: Authority and Truth The Publication of the DiscourseThe DiscoursePart Six: the Presentation of the DiscourseParts One and Two: Intellectual AutobiographyParts Two and Three: Precepts in PhilosophyPart Four: Metaphysics and EpistemologyPart Five: Physics and PhysiologyThe Essays published with the DiscourseDescartes as a Writer Envoi: the Cartesian Philosophical Edifice